How Should The 47 Ronin be Remembered A

How Should The 47 Ronin be Remembered? A Mini-DBQ Judi Lee East Asia and California, USCI/NCTA Fall 2014 Seminar

Rationale �This lesson was designed for a 7 th grade history class. �This three day lesson is part of a larger unit on Medieval Japan. Students should already be familiar with the rise of the daimyo and with bushido. �Modeled after the DBQ Project’s Mini-Qs, students will analyze various primary and secondary sources that have to do with the 47 ronin and then write an essay that answers the question, how should the 47 ronin be remembered?

Skills & Content Objectives � CA History-Social Science Standards: � 7. 5. 3: Describe the values, social customs, and traditions prescribed by the lord-vassal system consisting of shogun, daimyo, and samurai and the lasting influence of the warrior code in the twentieth century. � 7. 5. 6: Analyze the rise of a military society in the late twelfth century and the role of the 
samurai in that society. � Common Core Reading and Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies 6– 12 � CCSS. ELA-Literacy. RH. 6 -8. 1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources. � CCSS. ELA-Literacy. RH. 6 -8. 2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions

Day 1: Introduction & Document Analysis �Preview: � Students will discuss the warm up prompt: what does loyalty mean to you? What does honor mean to you? Why might these be considered important qualities for a soldier to have? �Document A Analysis: � In pairs, students will read excerpts from The 47 Ronin: A Graphic Novel. (see Appendix). � As they read the story, they will create a basic timeline of events. Once done, pairs will compare their timeline with another pair, to make sure that no important events were left out.

Days 2 & 3: Document Analysis �Document B Analysis � Students will look at woodblock prints of the 47 ronin (see Appendix). �If possible, this will be done in the computer lab, so that students can see a variety of pictures at their own pace. It can also be done with the students using their phones, or done as a whole class, with the teacher projecting images. � As they are looking at these images, they should think about how the 47 ronin are being portrayed-are they seen as heroes, as criminals, or somewhere in between?

Days 2 & 3: Document Analysis, cont’d �Document C Analysis � Students will read three reported responses after the 46 ronin’s suicide (see Appendix). �In pairs, students will paraphrase these quotes and discuss the following questions. Quote 1: Why might Lord Abe Masatake feel this way about the ronin’s actions? Do you agree with him? Quote 2: Why might that person have blacked out that phrase? Are they supporting the ronin or the government? Quote 3: Why would the government have to give this warning?

Days 2 & 3: Document Analysis, cont’d �Document D Analysis � Students will look at pictures of the graves of the 47 ronin & statues of the men (see Appendix). � Using the Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) method, students will analyze these 4 pictures. �What’s going on in this picture? What do you see that makes you say that? What more can you find?

Day 4: Assessment-3 Paragraph Essay �Essay prompt: � Using evidence from some or all of the documents, answer the question, how should the 47 ronin be remembered? �Suggested format � Introductory Paragraph �Give background info and thesis- are the ronin heroes, criminals, somewhere in between? � Body Paragraph(s) �Give evidence (quotes from the documents) and explain the significance of this evidence (provide analysis) � Conclusion �Restate thesis

Appendix �Document A: Excerpts from The 47 Ronin: A Graphic Novel �Document B: Woodblock Prints of Chushingura, performances of the 47 Ronin story �Document C: Responses to the Incident �Document D: Graves of the 47 Ronin at Sengaku-ji, Tokyo & Statues at Ako-Oishi-jinja in Ako, Japan

Document A: Excerpts from The 47 Ronin: A Graphic Novel �Wilson, Sean M. The 47 Ronin: A Graphic Novel. Boston: Shambhala, 2013. �Excerpts that describe the key events will be used. � Asano’s attack on Kira � Asano’s men hear of his suicide � The attack on Kira’s compound � The punishment (may be omitted, considering the graphic nature)

Document B: Woodblock Prints of Chushingura, performances of the 47 Ronin story �Images can be chosen from the following websites: � http: //www. hiroshige. org. uk/hiroshige/historical_subje cts/chushingura_1836. htm � http: //www. yoshitoshi. net/series/47 ronin. html � http: //www. virtualmuseum. ca/edu/View. Loit. Lo. do; jsess ionid=CF 3662 E 21 B 39 F 1 D 7 A 77876 C 9 A 3961158? method=p review&lang=EN&id=98

Document C: Responses to the Incident �Taken from: Yamashita, Samuel. "Vendettas & The Tokugawa Order. " USC, Los Angeles. 22 Sept. 2014. Lecture. “Principled warriors are like this. How can this not be a splendid affair of the state? ”—Lord Abe Masatake 2. Someone blackened the words “Loyalty and filial piety should be encouraged” on a Tokugawa signboard in the Nihonbashi district after the 46 warriors’ suicides 3. “Unusual events are not to be made the subject of songs or plays acted out. ” –Warning on Tokugawa signboard posted two weeks after the 46 warriors’ suicides 1.

Document D: Graves of the 47 Ronin at Sengaku-ji, Tokyo "Kagakuji Ako 10 n 4272" by 663 highland - 663 highland. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3. 0 via Wikimedia Commons http: //commons. wikimedia. org/wiki/File: Kagakuji_A ko 10 n 4272. jpg#mediaviewer/File: Kagakuji_Ako 10 n 427 2. jpg "Sengakuji Ronin Graves". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons http: //commons. wikimedia. org/wiki/File: Sengakuji_ Ronin_Graves. jpg#mediaviewer/File: Sengakuji_Roni n_Graves. jpg

Document D: Statues at Ako-Oishi-jinja in Ako, Japan "141206 Oishi-jinja Ako Hyogo pref Japan 07 n" by 663 highland - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3. 0 via Wikimedia Commons http: //commons. wikimedia. org/wiki/File: 141206_Ois hijinja_Ako_Hyogo_pref_Japan 07 n. jpg#mediaviewer/Fi le: 141206_Oishi-jinja_Ako_Hyogo_pref_Japan 07 n. jpg "141206 Oishi-jinja Ako Hyogo pref Japan 06 n" by 663 highland - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3. 0 via Wikimedia Commons http: //commons. wikimedia. org/wiki/File: 141206_Ois hijinja_Ako_Hyogo_pref_Japan 06 n. jpg#mediaviewer/Fi le: 141206_Oishi-jinja_Ako_Hyogo_pref_Japan 06 n. jpg